Radial, three-dimensional hierarchical file system view

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of displaying a hierarchical file structure. The method determines a visual arrangement ( 100 ) of containers ( 102 ) which reflects a hierarchical relationship of the file structure. A concentric curved shape is then formed representing each container in the file structure and files within the containers, the curved shape having a geometry and location according to the determined visual arrangement. A viewpoint ( 600 ) is then established for the curved shape which is substantially radial thereto and allows viewing from a root container of the file structure towards one or more child containers of the file structure. The curved shape is then rendered, relative to the viewpoint, to a display ( 2114 ). Desirably, the files within a container ( 102 ) are represented as a tower ( 104 ) in the curved shape.

1 . A method of displaying a hierarchical file structure, said method comprising the steps of: 
 determining a visual arrangement of containers which reflects a hierarchical relationship of said file structure;    forming a concentric curved shape representing each said container in the file structure and files within said containers, said curved shape having a geometry and location according to the determined visual arrangement;    establishing a viewpoint for the curved shape which is substantially radial thereto and allows viewing from a root container of the file structure towards one or more child containers of the file structure; and    rendering said curved shape, relative to said viewpoint, to a display.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to claim I wherein said determined visual arrangement and said geometry of said containers reflects a number of correspondingly contained elements.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said curved shape comprises at least one annulus segment, each said annulus segment representing a level in said hierarchy such that an annulus segment for a level is sectionalized according to those containers associated with said level and contained elements of a container depend from the corresponding section.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein child annulus segments are hierarchically radially displaced relative to said viewpoint and a corresponding parent annulus segment.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein each said annulus segment has a height, and child segments are vertically distinct from the corresponding parent segment.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein said contained elements for a container extend from said container.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 6  wherein said contained elements extend substantially perpendicularly from said corresponding container relative to said viewpoint.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  where the contained elements have a visual representation and said visual representation is rendered to said display in a manner that reflects their containment within a corresponding one of the containers in the hierarchy.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1  where the parent-child relationships in the hierarchy extend radially.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 2  where the contained elements comprise representations of photographs, video or other visual media.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising the further steps of detecting a directional user input and altering said viewpoint relative to said curved shape according to said detected input.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said directional input is afforded by a pointing device such that lateral movement of said pointing device results in corresponding horizontal rotation of said curved shape relative to said viewpoint.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said directional input is afforded by a pointing device such that radial movement of said pointing device results in a corresponding vertical rotation of said rendered curved shape.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) creating a list of images associated with one said container,    (b) forming a region,    (c) displaying the entire list of images in the region, where, 
 (ca) representations of said images of said list substantially fills the region, and  
 (cb) a size of each image represented in said region is dependent a position of the image in the region.  
   
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein said region is 2-dimensional rectangular.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein said region is a 3D partial surface of a cylinder.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein images closer to one side of the region are larger than images closer to another side.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein said region is rectangular and said images are arranged in rows such that a number of images in each said row is proportional to a corresponding row number within said region.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein said region is rectangular and said images are arranged in rows such that a number (N) of images in each said row (n) is 2 n-1 .  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising the steps of: 
 (a) creating a list of images associated with one said container;    (b) creating a region;    (c) specifying a current position in the list of images;    (d) displaying the entire list of images in said region, where, 
 (da) representations of said images in said list substantially fill the region, and  
 (db) a size of each said image is dependent on a position of said image relative to a current position in the list of images.  
   
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20  further comprising the steps of: 
 (e) detecting a user input, and    (f) altering said current position in said list according to the detected user input.    
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 20  further comprising the steps of: 
 (g) altering a size of representation of said images said altered current position.    
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 2  wherein said contained elements comprise video clips, each said clip being represented within said displayed file structure by a corresponding representational frame, said method further comprising the step of: 
 (a) determining a set of video clips selected from those represented within one said container;    (b) determining at least one interesting part of each video clip of said set;    (c) reproducing the interesting parts of each video clip in said set at the position of the corresponding representational frame of said video clip within said displayed file structure.    
   
   
       24 . A method of displaying a collection of data objects, said method comprising the steps of: 
 determining a visual arrangement of containers which reflects a relationship of said data objects within said collection;    forming a concentric curved shape representing each said container, said curved shape having a geometry and location according to the determined visual arrangement;    establishing a viewpoint for the curved shape which is substantially radial thereto and allows viewing from a primary container of the collection towards one or more subsidiary containers of the collection; and    rendering said curved shape, relative to said viewpoint, to a display.    
   
   
       25 . A method of displaying a collection of data objects, said method comprising the steps of: 
 determining a visual arrangement of containers which reflects a relationship of said data objects within said collection;    forming a shape representing each said container, said shape having a geometry and location according to the determined visual arrangement;    establishing a viewpoint for the shape which is allows viewing from a primary container of the collection towards one or more subsidiary containers of the collection;    forming at least one region in which a group of said data objects associated with a corresponding said container are represented; and    rendering, relative to said viewpoint, said shape with said regions extending therefrom, to a display.    
   
   
       26 . Apparatus for displaying a hierarchical file structure, said apparatus comprising: 
 a processor adapted to determine a visual arrangement of containers which reflects a hierarchical relationship of said file structure;    a forming arrangement for forming a concentric curved shape representing each said container in the file structure and files within said containers, said curved shape having a geometry and location according to the determined visual arrangement;    a viewpoint establisher configured for establishing a viewpoint for the curved shape which is substantially radial thereto and allows viewing from a root container of the file structure towards one or more child containers of the file structure; and    a rendering arrangement configured to render said curved shape, relative to said viewpoint, to a display.    
   
   
       27 . A computer readable medium having a computer program recorded thereon and executable to display a hierarchical file structure, said program comprising: 
 code for determining a visual arrangement of containers which reflects a hierarchical relationship of said file structure;    code for forming a concentric curved shape representing each said container in the file structure and files within said containers, said curved shape having a geometry and location according to the determined visual arrangement;    code for establishing a viewpoint for the curved shape which is substantially radial thereto and allows viewing from a root container of the file structure towards one or more child containers of the file structure; and    code for rendering said curved shape, relative to said viewpoint, to a display.